1956 Reddis R.A. 2a serie 125cc
Reddis R.A. 2a serie 125cc 1956
Reus (Tarragona)
Exhibit: Xavier Sentis
Reddis was a Catalan motorcycles brand produced in Reus (Tarragona), by Gamoto SA between 1952 and 1973. The company was located in house number 4 on the street Verdaguer de Reus. A total of 499 motorcycles were produced during its existence.
The company's founders were Ramon Grifoll and Juli Armengol.
The initiative to create motorcycles of Reddis brand originated about 1928 in the family of Josep Sentís and Armengol, who controlled the "Garatge Armengol" at number 14 on the street del Roser de Reus. In 1945, after 17 years Sentís decided to construct a bike in his garage. He purchased the engine, DKW RT 125 cc from the manufacturer Ferrer. Ferrer brought the engine from Germany to produce electricity for his plant, but it fell into disuse. Inspired by the views of the Italian scooters, he produced a chassis independently in the garage PLANCHISTERIA in his spare time.
In 1950, Juli Armengol and Iglesias, Uncle Sentís, decided also to produce motorcycles for themselves. Armengol and the nephews Josep and Jordi Sentís manufactured motorcycles in the garage after two years of production and testing of a new engine on the basis DKW. When they finished, they decided to change the chassis, using a fork, which was bought by Armengol in Barcelona.
In 1952 they decided to start a series of motorcycles, but needed money, and they tied up a contract with Ramon Grifoll and Payarol, the owners of a steel company and a manufacturer of furnaces Alcover (Alt Camp). For these purposes, Juli Armengol and Ramón Grifoll formed the company Gamoto SA (where the letters GA were the initials from Grifoll and Armengol).
The plant was placed in house 4 in Verdaguer Reus street, where the production was started with seven employees. For a start, they tested the first motorcycle so as to take part in some of the regular races.
In 1955 it began the production of motorcycles in series for the purpose of commercialization. The first model was called RA 125 1-series and was single. In these early years the first brand logo was also created, designed by Juli Armengol. It represented a circle with one wing (kinetic line) enclosing the name Reddis, the name given by the Romans Reus.
In 1957 they decided to upgrade the bike because competitive products with higher performance came into the market and they called the new model Reddis RA 125 2nd series. They started to install Moto cult Hispano Villiers engines, which were later replaced by Reddis 150 cc. They also made two micro-cars and two minibuses on request.
In 1960 the third series with one change came out: the fuel tank instead of green was painted red. The local police in Reus, due to the success of these motorcycles purchased four motorcycles of the second series for their use.
In 1966, Juli Armengol resigned, leaving Jordi Sentís as a manager of the company. In 1969 the company changed its name to Industrias Grifoll and the production of road bikes moved to Alcolea.
The demand for motorcycles declined steadily since the advent of SEAT 600 in the early 1960s (only six vehicles Reddis were registered in 1964 and two in 1965). In 1973, the plant was closed due to the crisis in the sector, as well as a number of disagreements between the owners.
Reus (Tarragona)
Exhibit: Xavier Sentis
Reddis was a Catalan motorcycles brand produced in Reus (Tarragona), by Gamoto SA between 1952 and 1973. The company was located in house number 4 on the street Verdaguer de Reus. A total of 499 motorcycles were produced during its existence.
The company's founders were Ramon Grifoll and Juli Armengol.
The initiative to create motorcycles of Reddis brand originated about 1928 in the family of Josep Sentís and Armengol, who controlled the "Garatge Armengol" at number 14 on the street del Roser de Reus. In 1945, after 17 years Sentís decided to construct a bike in his garage. He purchased the engine, DKW RT 125 cc from the manufacturer Ferrer. Ferrer brought the engine from Germany to produce electricity for his plant, but it fell into disuse. Inspired by the views of the Italian scooters, he produced a chassis independently in the garage PLANCHISTERIA in his spare time.
In 1950, Juli Armengol and Iglesias, Uncle Sentís, decided also to produce motorcycles for themselves. Armengol and the nephews Josep and Jordi Sentís manufactured motorcycles in the garage after two years of production and testing of a new engine on the basis DKW. When they finished, they decided to change the chassis, using a fork, which was bought by Armengol in Barcelona.
In 1952 they decided to start a series of motorcycles, but needed money, and they tied up a contract with Ramon Grifoll and Payarol, the owners of a steel company and a manufacturer of furnaces Alcover (Alt Camp). For these purposes, Juli Armengol and Ramón Grifoll formed the company Gamoto SA (where the letters GA were the initials from Grifoll and Armengol).
The plant was placed in house 4 in Verdaguer Reus street, where the production was started with seven employees. For a start, they tested the first motorcycle so as to take part in some of the regular races.
In 1955 it began the production of motorcycles in series for the purpose of commercialization. The first model was called RA 125 1-series and was single. In these early years the first brand logo was also created, designed by Juli Armengol. It represented a circle with one wing (kinetic line) enclosing the name Reddis, the name given by the Romans Reus.
In 1957 they decided to upgrade the bike because competitive products with higher performance came into the market and they called the new model Reddis RA 125 2nd series. They started to install Moto cult Hispano Villiers engines, which were later replaced by Reddis 150 cc. They also made two micro-cars and two minibuses on request.
In 1960 the third series with one change came out: the fuel tank instead of green was painted red. The local police in Reus, due to the success of these motorcycles purchased four motorcycles of the second series for their use.
In 1966, Juli Armengol resigned, leaving Jordi Sentís as a manager of the company. In 1969 the company changed its name to Industrias Grifoll and the production of road bikes moved to Alcolea.
The demand for motorcycles declined steadily since the advent of SEAT 600 in the early 1960s (only six vehicles Reddis were registered in 1964 and two in 1965). In 1973, the plant was closed due to the crisis in the sector, as well as a number of disagreements between the owners.
